Virginia legal term
Child in need of services in Virginia Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Virginia legislative session
In Virginia criminal law, “Child in need of services” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the Virginia criminal code.
What does “Child in need of services” mean in Virginia criminal law?
"Child in need of services" means (i) a child whose behavior, conduct, or condition presents or results in a serious threat to the well-being and physical safety of the child; (ii) a child who remains away from or deserts or abandons his family or lawful custodian during one occasion and is demonstratively at risk of coercion, exploitation, abuse, or manipulation or has been lured from his parent or lawful custodian by means of trickery or misrepresentation or under false pretenses; (iii) a child younger than 14 years of age whose behavior, conduct, or condition presents or results in a seriou (Va. Code Ann. § 16.1-228)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.